Internet divided as Whoopi Goldberg defends Kelly Clarkson amid weight-loss drug controversy

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: On the May 15 episode of 'The View'. host Whoopi Goldberg urged people to "leave Kelly Clarkson alone" following Kelly Clarkson's recent admission to using a weight-loss drug.

Clarkson, 42, faced significant backlash after revealing on her talk show 'The Kelly Clarkson Show' (during an interview with 'The View' host) that her doctor prescribed her weight-loss medication, previously attributing her noticeable weight loss to increased walking and reducing carbs.

According to reports, Clarkson reportedly lost 60 pounds, though Kelly has not disclosed the exact weight herself.

Whoopi Goldberg defends Kelly Clarkson over weight-loss backlash

Goldberg, 68, addressed the criticism directed at Kelly, arguing that people would criticize Clarkson no matter what she said and emphasized that "some people need their bodies jump-started."

She said on 'The View', "So, Kelly is getting backlash over this from people who say she previously claimed she was losing weight by walking, but here's a point about that: a lot of people are taking the shot because they need it."

"Some people need their bodies jump-started, some have diabetes, there's lots of reasons. She has been walking, but this has helped and I don't know why, because they kick her behind when she's bigger, they kick her behind when she's lost the weight and now they're kicking her behind because she said it out loud."

Goldberg's comments come after she visited the 'Kelly Clarkson Show' on May 13 where the latter confessed, "I'm doing that wonderful shot that works for folks who need some help and it's been really good for me."

The American singer-songwriter then said, "Mine is a different one than people assume but I ended up having to do it too. my doctor chased me for two years. no, I'm afraid of it. I already have thyroid problems. everyone thinks it's Ozempic, but it's something that aids in breaking down sugar and the body doesn't do it right."

Reflecting on their conversation, where Goldberg shared her own weight loss journey with Clarkson, the former suggested to the other co-hosts that Clarkson might have felt more at ease hearing someone else admit, "That's what I did." 

Joy Behar critiques dieting trends and says 'diets do not work'

Clarkson's drug-infused weight loss was supported by co-hosts Joy Behar and Sara Haines as they criticized dieting trends and praised accessible drug use respectively. 

Sara Haines, 46, chimed in saying, "I have no shade for Kelly Clarkson. I commend anyone that is able to have access to these drugs, these injectables, that help them along the way."

"There are people that need to do this, I love that. But I do think being transparent - and I'm not saying this about Kelly - there's been a wave of people that have taken these and they tell someone by omission, "Oh I'm just walking or I'm fasting or I'm doing this, "she added. 

"The problem there is, you become a part of the problem that led us here because you're standing in front of someone that feels all those feelings you had when you couldn't figure it out and feels they're failing and you're saying, 'It worked for me, I don't know what's wrong with you', and you really need to be open about it if you're doing it,' Haines concluded her statements.

Behar, who has previously accused Donald Trump of using Ozempic, then said, "Everybody knows at this point that diets don't work, diets do not work. I've been on diets, up and down, up and down, and you lose it then you gain it back."

She then argued, saying, "Nobody wants to be fat, except a sumo wrestler. It's uncomfortable, your clothes don't fit, everybody wants to lose weight."

Sunny Hostin advocates for 'personal health choices'

Sunny Hostin, 55, who recently revealed that she used the weight-loss drug Mounjaro to help her lose weight, said, "After 50, it's really difficult to lose weight and so if people are doing this to make themselves feel better, I'm all for it because I think that the physical is connected to the mental, right?"

"So, if you feel good about yourself, then mentally you're going to also feel better and there's an epidemic of depression in this country, an epidemic of shaming, women shaming women, men shaming men, it all has to stop," she added. 

Hostin then continued, "I don't think the personal health choices that you make for yourself should be subject to discussion," as Goldberg remarked that part of the problem is "this generation shares everything."

"You have people like myself, who it's like, 'When I'm ready to tell you, I'll tell you, when I'm comfortable I will let you know'. Because there are issues with thyroids, people have all kinds of issues," Goldberg chimed in.

"We have to let people do what they need to do to get to where they need to get to and stop being mad that they're not doing it your way because it's not like we really know what you're doing," she added.

"We don't know what your personal life is, just like you don't actually know what our personal lives are. So let's all just say, 'Good on you, if you're doing something that's good for you and keeping you healthy, nobody is mad at you'," Goldberg continued as Alyssa Farah Griffin repeated, "And leave Kelly Clarkson alone!"

Internet gives divided reaction to 'Leave Kelly Clarkson Alone' chants

Social media had a mixed response to 'The View's Whoopi Goldberg urging people to "leave Kelly Clarkson alone" while defending controversial weight-loss drugs

A particular viewer expressed, "Why can't people just leave other people alone?"

Following suit, another observer added, "People are mad about celebs and ozempic, cuz there's a wealth disparity of people who can afford ozempic."

Additionally, a viewer pointed out, "There is always people who want to judge others. Those people need to fix their own problems!"

A follower contributed, "How can anyone ever hate Kelly Clarkson?"

A comment underscored, "The hypocrisy about this topic is ridiculous. Whoopi laid it out very well."

Another comment echoed, "If she gains weight, ppl bully her. If she loses weight, ppl bully her. Let her be."

An individual elaborated further, saying, "The reason she gets backlash over her weight loss is because she lied initially about how she did it. She said she took acv gummies and people spend $300 plus on these shark tank gummies each month, that she promotes. Is THAT fair???? NO." 

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